Repositionable medium and stack thereof

ABSTRACT

A repositionable medium includes a base, a paper, and a first repositionable adhesive. The base has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The paper is fixedly coupled to the top surface of the base proximate to the first end edge. The paper has an inner edge and an outer edge. The outer edge is closer to the first end edge than the inner edge is to the first end edge. The inner edge is spaced a first distance from the first end edge of the base. The first repositionable adhesive is fixed to the bottom surface of the base and is not present in a first low adhesion area at a line across a width of the base and spaced a second distance from the second end edge of the base. The second distance equals the length of the first distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/081,488, filed Apr. 6, 2011, entitled “Repositionable Medium AndStack Thereof”, by Jay K. Sato and Douglas W. Wilson, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/829,386,filed Jul. 2, 2010, entitled “Note Sheet and Pads Thereof and RelatedMethod” by Jay K. Sato, Eric Kim, Susan L. Broyles, Darren S. Ferris,Cheng-Chung Chang, and Tsun-Rung Hsu, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/355,485, filed Feb. 8, 2010,entitled “Note Sheets and Related Pads of Note Sheets” by Jay K. Sato,Eric Kim, Susan L. Broyles, Darren S. Ferris, Cheng-Chung Chang, andTsun-Rung Hsu, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 29/361,471, filed May 11, 2010, entitled “Note Sheets andRelated Pads of Note Sheets” by Jay K. Sato, Eric Kim, Susan L. Broyles,Darren S. Ferris, Cheng-Chung Chang, and Tsun-Rung Hsu. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/081,488, U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/829,386, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/355,485, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 29/361,471 are all incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to media of the type including arepositionable adhesive and relates more particularly to a novel mediumof the aforementioned type, to a plurality of such media arranged in astack, the method of manufacturing such media, and the method of usingsuch media.

BACKGROUND

Media of the type including a repositionable adhesive are commonly usedin a variety of venues including, but not limited to, homes, workplaces,and schools, and for a variety of applications, such as note-taking. Onecommon type of medium having a repositionable adhesive is often referredto in the art as a repositionable note paper and includes a small sheetof paper having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface isreceptive to markings, the bottom surface having a repositionableadhesive applied to a portion thereof, typically as a band of adhesiveapplied alongside one edge of the sheet.

In use, a handwritten or machine-printed marking is made on the topsurface of the sheet, and the sheet is adhered to a desired object bypressing the adhesive band directly against the object. Often, prior touse, a plurality of identical such media are stacked on top of eachother and held together using the adhesive bands to form a pad. Themedia can be stacked with their respective adhesive bands aligned withone another. For such stacks, markings can be made on the top sheetprior to separating the top sheet from the remainder of the pad, or thetop sheet can be separated from the pad prior to applying a marking tothe separated sheet.

In another type of stack, the media can be arranged in an alternatingpattern in which each sheet is rotated 180 degrees relative to itsadjacent neighbors with respect to their respective adhesive bands. Theaforementioned type of stack is often referred to as an “accordionstack” or as a “Z-stack,” due to the appearance of the stack from itsside when the top and bottom sheets of the stack are gently pulled in adirection away from one another. Such stacks can be used in conjunctionwith a slotted dispenser so that individual sheets can be separated fromthe stack by pulling the free end of the top sheet up through a narrowslot in the dispenser. Once the sheet has been removed from thedispenser, it can be marked and adhered to a desired substrate. Suchstacks can also be used without a dispenser, in which case the markingcan be applied to the sheet either before or after separating the sheetfrom the remainder of the stack.

Another common type of repositionable medium is often referred to in theart as a repositionable flag and includes a rectangular strip ofpolymeric film divided laterally into a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion is usually longer than the second portion.The first portion, which can be translucent, has a repositionableadhesive applied to the bottom surface thereof and has a coating appliedto the top surface thereof that is receptive to handwritten ormachine-printed markings. The second portion can be devoid of adhesiveon its bottom surface and can have a coating over its top surface thatis receptive to handwritten or machine-printed markings In addition, thetop surface of the second portion can be coated with a colored ink andcan additionally include pre-printed information.

The above-described repositionable flags are often arranged in“Z-stacks,” with individual flags being dispensed from the “Z-stack”using a slotted dispenser. In use, a flag is dispensed from the“Z-stack,” and the flag is adhered to a desired object, such as a sheetof paper. If desired, markings can be made on the first portion and/orthe second portion of the tape, either before or after the tape isadhered to a desired object. When the desired object is paper, the tapeis can be positioned relative to the sheet of paper so that the secondportion of the tape extends outside the boundaries of the sheet ofpaper, with the first portion of the tape positioned within theboundaries of the sheet. In this manner, the second portion can serve asa flag to identify a portion of the paper of interest, with the firstportion of the tape being translucent so as not to obscure any printedmatter located therebeneath.

Still another common type of repositionable medium includes a sheet ofpolymeric film divided into a first portion and a second portion, thesecond portion extending laterally from the first portion as a tab. Thefirst portion, which can be translucent, can have a repositionableadhesive applied to the bottom surface thereof and has a coating appliedto the top surface thereof that is receptive to handwritten ormachine-printed markings The second portion can be devoid of adhesive onits bottom surface and can have a small sheet of paper, which can becolored, adhered to its top surface, the sheet of paper is receptive tohandwritten or machine- printed markings Analogously to therepositionable note flags discussed above, markings can be made on thepaper sheet and/or on top of the coated first portion, and the firstportion can be adhered to a desired object.

However, in contrast with the aforementioned repositionable note flags,these tabbed media are not arranged in a “Z-stack” prior to use, butrather, are stacked so that all of the first portions of the polymericfilm are aligned with one another and so that all of the second portionsof the polymeric film are aligned with one another. The reason why a“Z-stack” has not been used for this type of medium is that, if a“Z-stack” arrangement were to be used, the adhesive area on the bottomof a first medium would come into direct contact with the paper portionof a second medium located directly beneath the first medium. Suchcontact between the adhesive area of the first medium and the paper ofthe second medium would undesirably result in the delamination orsplitting of the paper from the second medium as the first medium ispulled away from the second medium.

It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for arepositionable medium that can resist delamination when removed from a“Z-stack” arrangement. The present invention satisfies this need.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a repositionable medium. Therepositionable medium includes a base having a top surface, a bottomsurface, a first end edge, and a second end edge. The repositionablemedium also includes a paper fixedly coupled to the top surface of thebase proximate to the first end edge. The paper has an inner edge and anouter edge, with the outer edge being closer to the first end edge thanthe inner edge is to the first end edge. The inner edge is spaced fromthe first end edge of the base by a first distance. The repositionablemedium also includes a first repositionable adhesive fixed to the bottomsurface of the base. The first repositionable adhesive not being presentin a first low adhesion area at a line across a width of the base andspaced from the second end edge of the base by a second distance. Thesecond distance is equal in length to the first distance.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the first lowadhesion area extends entirely across the width of the base. Also, thefirst low adhesion area can be devoid of adhesive. Also, therepositionable medium can further include a second repositionableadhesive. The second repositionable adhesive occupies at least a portionof the first low adhesion area. The second repositionable adhesive isless tacky than the first repositionable adhesive.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the secondrepositionable adhesive is the same as the first repositionable adhesiveand the second repositionable adhesive has a lower coat weight than thefirst repositionable adhesive. Also, the first low adhesion area canextend entirely across the width of the base and can extend from thesecond end edge of the base to slightly beyond the line spaced from thesecond end edge by the second distance. Also, the first low adhesionarea can extend entirely across the width of the base from a thirddistance slightly less than the second distance to a fourth distanceslightly greater than the second distance. Also, the firstrepositionable adhesive can be applied to the bottom surface of the basefrom the second end edge of the base to the third distance. The firstrepositionable adhesive can also be applied to the bottom surface of thebase from the fourth distance to a fifth distance, with the fifthdistance spaced from the first end edge and can be greater than thefirst distance.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the firstrepositionable adhesive is not present in a second low adhesion areapositioned along the second end edge of the base. The firstrepositionable adhesive can occupy at least some of the space betweenthe first low adhesion area and the second low adhesion area. Also, thesecond repositionable adhesive can occupy the first low adhesion areaand the second low adhesion area. Also, at least one of the first lowadhesion area and the second low adhesion area can be devoid ofadhesive. Also, both the first low adhesion area and the second lowadhesion area can be devoid of adhesive.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the base can includea polymeric film. Also, the polymeric film can be translucent. Also, atleast a portion of the polymeric film can be coated with amarking-receptive coating. Also, at least a portion of the polymeric canbe coated with a marking-receptive coating and a writable releasecoating.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the paper can becoated with a writable release coating. Also, the paper can be fixedlycoupled to the base using an adhesive.

The present invention also includes a stack of repositionable mediaincluding a plurality of repositionable media. Each of the plurality ofrepositionable media includes a base. The base has a top surface, abottom surface, a first end edge, and a second end edge. Each of theplurality of repositionable media also includes a paper fixedly coupledto the top surface of the base proximate to the first end edge. Thepaper has an inner edge and an outer edge. The outer edge is closer tothe first end edge than the inner edge is to the first end edge and theinner edge is spaced from the first end edge of the base by a firstdistance. Each of the plurality of repositionable media also includes afirst repositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base.The first repositionable adhesive is not present in a first low adhesionarea at a line across a width of the base and spaced from the second endedge of the base by a second distance. The second distance is equal inlength to the first distance. The plurality of repositionable media isarranged in a Z-stack. The inner edge of the paper of a firstrepositionable medium is aligned with the first low adhesion area on asecond repositionable medium positioned directly thereover.

The present invention also includes a repositionable medium. Therepositionable medium including a base. The base has a top surface and abottom surface. The repositionable medium also includes a paper fixed tothe top surface of the base, a first repositionable adhesive fixed tothe bottom surface of the base in a first high adhesion area, and asecond repositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the basein a first low adhesion area. The first low adhesive is different thanthe first high adhesion area and the second repositionable adhesivehaving less adhesive strength than the first repositionable adhesive.Also, the paper can cover a portion of the top surface of the base.

The present invention also includes a stack of repositionable mediaincluding a plurality of repositionable media. Each of the plurality ofrepositionable media includes a base, and the base has a top surface anda bottom surface. Each of the plurality of repositionable media alsoincludes a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base in afirst high adhesion area, and a second repositionable adhesive fixed tothe bottom surface of the base in a first low adhesion area. The firstlow adhesion area is different than the first high adhesion area, andthe second repositionable adhesive has less adhesive strength than thefirst repositionable adhesive. The base has a first end edge and asecond end edge. The paper has a first edge proximate to the first endedge of the base and a second edge distal to the first end edge of thebase. The second edge of the paper is spaced from the first end edge ofthe base by a first distance. The plurality of repositionable media isarranged in a Z-stack, with the second edge of the paper of a firstrepositionable medium aligned with the first low adhesion area of thesecond repositionable adhesive of a second repositionable mediumpositioned directly thereover.

The present invention also includes a repositionable medium. Therepositionable medium includes a base. The base having a top surface anda bottom surface. The repositionable medium also includes a paper fixedto the top surface of the base, and a first repositionable adhesivefixed to the bottom surface of the base in a first high adhesion areaand in a second high adhesion area. At least a portion of the first andsecond high adhesion areas are spaced apart from one another.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the paper can have afirst edge proximate to the first end edge of the base and a second edgedistal to the first end edge of the base. The second edge of the papercan be spaced from the first end edge of the base by a first distanceand the first high adhesion area of the first repositionable adhesivecan be spaced from the second end edge of the base by a second distancethat can be slightly greater in length than the first distance. Thesecond high adhesion area of the first repositionable adhesive can bepositioned over at least a portion of the bottom surface and can extendfrom the second end edge of the base to a third distance from the secondend edge of the base. The third distance can be slightly less in lengththan the first distance.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the repositionablemedium can further include a second repositionable adhesive applied tothe bottom surface of the base in a first low adhesion area. Also, thefirst low adhesion area can be located between the first high adhesionarea and the second high adhesion area.

The present invention also includes a stack of repositionable mediaincluding a plurality of repositionable media. Each of the plurality ofrepositionable media includes a base. The base has a top surface and abottom surface. Each of the plurality of repositionable media alsoincludes a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, and a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base in afirst high adhesion area and in a second high adhesion area. At least aportion of the first and second high adhesion areas are spaced apartfrom one another. Each of the plurality of repositionable media alsoincludes a second repositionable adhesive applied to the bottom surfaceof the base in a first low adhesion area. The second repositionableadhesive has less adhesive strength than the first repositionableadhesive. The base has a first end edge and a second end edge. The paperhas a first edge proximate to the first end edge of the base and asecond edge distal to the first end edge of the base. The second edge ofthe paper is spaced from the first end edge of the base by a firstdistance. The second edge of the paper of a first repositionable mediumis aligned with the first low adhesion area of the second repositionableadhesive of a second repositionable medium positioned directlythereover.

The present invention also includes a repositionable medium. Therepositionable medium including a base that has a top surface and abottom surface, a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base, and arelease coating applied to a top surface of the paper.

In other, more detailed features of the invention, the release coatingcan be applied to only a portion of the top surface of the paper. Also,the release coating can be applied to the top surface of the paper onlyalong at least one of the inner edge and the outer edge of the paper.Also, the base can have a first end edge and a second end edge and thepaper is located closer to the first end edge of the base than to thesecond end edge of the base.

The present invention also includes a stack of repositionable mediaincluding a plurality of repositionable media. Each of the plurality ofrepositionable media includes a base having a top surface and a bottomsurface, a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base, and arelease coating applied to a top surface of the paper. The plurality ofrepositionable media is arranged in a Z-stack.

The present invention also includes a repositionable medium. Therepositionable medium includes a base that includes a top surface and abottom surface, a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base, and anon-adhesive layer applied to the top of the paper along at least oneedge for adhering the paper to the base.

Other features of the invention should become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following description of the preferred embodimentstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate,by way of example, the principles of the invention, the invention notbeing limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodimentsof the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. It should be noted that the drawingsare not drawn to scale. In the drawings wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts:

FIGS. 1( a), 1(b), and 1(c) are top plan, side elevational, and bottomplan views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a repositionablemedium;

FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), and 2(c) are top plan, side elevational, and bottomplan views, respectively, of the base shown in FIG. 1( a);

FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b) are top plan and side elevational views,respectively, of the overlay shown in FIG. 1( a);

FIG. 4 is a simplified side elevational view, partly in section, of aplurality of the repositionable media of FIG. 1( a) in a “Z-stack,” the“Z-stack” being disposed in a slotted dispenser;

FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b) are bottom plan and side elevational views,respectively, of a second embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are bottom plan and side elevational views,respectively, of a third embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b) are bottom plan and side elevational views,respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b) are bottom plan and side elevational views,respectively, of a fifth embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b) are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of asixth embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of aseventh embodiment of a repositionable medium;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for a method of manufacturing a repositionablemedium; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for a method of using a repositionable medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is embodied in a repositionable medium, a stack ofrepositionable media, and related methods. The repositionable media comein a multitude of configurations. A few non-limiting examples ofrepositionable media, stacks thereof, and related methods are discussedbelow.

As noted above, the present invention is directed at the above-describedproblem of delamination occurring within a “Z-stack” of repositionablemedia of the type including a paper sheet fixed to a base having arepositionable adhesive. According to one approach of the presentinvention, this problem can be ameliorated by providing a lower strengthrepositionable adhesive in one or more low adhesion areas that can bealigned with one or more of the edges of the paper for the mediumpositioned thereunder, with a higher strength repositionable adhesiveprovided in one or more high adhesion areas. As used herein, adhesivestrength means peel adhesion or tack adhesion as determined by PressureSensitive Tape Council test methods PSTC-101 and PSTC-16. According toanother approach, this problem can be ameliorated by not providing anyadhesive in one or more of the low adhesion areas that can be alignedwith one or more of the edges of the paper for the medium positionedthereunder. According to yet another approach, this problem can beameliorated by providing a release on top of the edges of the papersheet to inhibit adhesion with the repositionable adhesive of the mediumpositioned thereover. According to still yet another approach, thisproblem can be ameliorated by gluing or taping the edges of the paperdown to its respective base.

Referring now to FIGS. 1( a), 1(b), and 1(c), there are shown top plan,side elevational, and bottom plan views, respectively, of a firstembodiment of a repositionable medium, the repositionable medium beingrepresented generally by reference numeral 11. (For illustrativepurposes, certain features of medium 11 are not shown in all views.)

Medium 11 can include a base 13, which is also shown separately in FIGS.2( a) through 2(c). Base 13, which can be a one-piece structure having atop surface 13-1 and a bottom surface 13-2, can be made of a translucentpolymeric film, for example, a translucent (clear or tinted)polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. Such a PET film can have athickness, for example, of about 125 μm. Base 13 can be shaped toinclude a first end portion 15, a second end portion 17, and anintermediate portion 19, first end portion 15 and second end portion 17are spaced apart from one another, with intermediate portion 19extending between and interconnecting first end portion 15 and secondend portion 17.

The first end portion 15 can have a generally trapezoidal shape whenviewed from above and can be shaped to include a first side edge 15-1, asecond side edge 15-2, and an end edge 15-3. The corner where end edge15-3 meets first side edge 15-1 and the corner where end edge 15-3 meetssecond side edge 15-2 can be rounded. In addition, first side edge 15-1can have a slight concavity 16-1 just before meeting intermediateportion 19, and second side edge 15-2 can have a corresponding concavity16-2 just before meeting intermediate section 19. Second end portion 17can have a generally trapezoidal shape when viewed from above and can beshaped to include a first side edge 17-1, a second side edge 17-2, andan end edge 17-3. The corner where end edge 17-3 meets first side edge17-1 and the corner where end edge 17-3 meets second side edge 17-2 canbe rounded.

In addition, first side edge 17-1 can have a slight concavity 18-1 justbefore meeting intermediate portion 19, and second side edge 17-2 canhave a corresponding concavity 18-2 just before meeting intermediateportion 19. Intermediate portion 19 can have a generally rectangularshape when viewed from above and can include a first side edge 19-1 anda second side edge 19-2. Base 13 can be symmetric about both itslongitudinal centerline and its lateral centerline, and first endportion 15 and second end portion 17 can be mirror-images of oneanother.

Exemplary dimensions for base 13 can include a length l₁ measured fromend edge 15-3 to end edge 17-3 of approximately 38.1 mm and a width w₁measured from side edge 19-1 to side edge 19-2 of approximately 25.4 mm.In addition, each of portions 15 and 17 can have a length l₂ of 14.3 mm,and portion 19 can have a length l₃ of approximately 10.3 mm. In otherembodiments, length l₁ can range from approximately 28.5 mm toapproximately 47.7 mm, lengths l₂ and l₃ can range from approximately9.5 mm to approximately 15.9 mm, and width w₁ can range fromapproximately 25.4 mm to approximately 76.2 mm.

Referring back to FIG. 1( b), medium 11 can further include a topcoat23, which can be applied directly over top surface 13-1 of base 13 in atleast the areas corresponding to end portion 17 and intermediate portion19. Topcoat 23 can be a conventional writing-receptive coating and canbe used to render base 13 receptive to handwritten markings, such asthose made, for example, by pen, marker and/or pencil, and/or tomachine-printed markings, such as those made, for example, by typewriterand/or printer. Writable release coat 25, which can be applied directlyover the entirety of topcoat 23 or a portion of topcoat 23, can be aconventional writable release coating and can be used to minimizeadhesion of base 13 to a repositionable adhesive brought into contacttherewith.

Medium 11 can also include an overlay 31, which is also shown separatelyin FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b). Overlay 31 can be securely fixed to top surface13-1 of base 13 in first end portion 15 using a suitable adhesive 33,which adhesive can be, for example, an adhesive coating or a strip ofdouble-sided tape. Overlay 31 can have a generally trapezoidal shape andcan include a first side edge 31-1, a second side edge 31-2, an outeredge 31-3, and an inner edge 31-4. Overlay 31 can be dimensioned so thatfirst side edge 31-1, second side edge 31-2 and outer edge 31-3 liesubstantially flush with first side edge 15-1, second side edge 15-2,and end edge 15-3, respectively, of first end portion 15, with inneredge 31-4 of overlay 31 lying inwardly from end edge 15-3 a shortdistance from intermediate portion 19. Where, for example, base 13 hasthe dimensions specified above, overlay 31 can have a length l₄, a firstdistance, from outer edge 31-3 to inner edge 31-4 of approximately 12.7mm. In other embodiments, length l₄ can range from approximately 9.5 mmto approximately 15.9 mm. A phantom line 20 on the medium can be definedextending from first side edge 17-1 to second side edge 17-2 spaced at adistance equal to length l₄, a second distance, measured from end edge17-3. See FIG. 2( a).

Overlay 31 can be a non-translucent material and can include, forexample, a sheet of paper 35 that is receptive to handwritten markings,such as those made, for example, by pen, marker and/or pencil, and/or tomachine-printed markings, such as those made, for example, by typewriterand/or printer. Paper 35 can include colored paper or white paper andcan be either coated or uncoated. A writable release coating 37 can beapplied to at least a portion of the top surface of paper 35 to minimizeadhesion of overlay 31 to a repositionable adhesive of another medium 11brought into contact therewith.

Referring back to FIG. 1( c), medium 11 can further include a pluralityof adhesive patches 41, 43 and 45 located on bottom surface 13-2 of base13. As used herein, the term “plurality” means two or more. Adhesivepatch 41, which can include, for example, a coating of a relativelylow-tack repositionable, ultraremovable adhesive, a low coat weightadhesive, a pattern-coated adhesive, or a detackified adhesive, can haveboundaries including a first side edge 41-1, a second side edge 41-2, anouter edge 41-3, and an inner edge 41-4. First side edge 41-1 can liesubstantially flush with a portion of first side edge 17-1 of base 13,and second side edge 41-2 can lie substantially flush with a portion ofsecond side edge 17-2 of base 13. Outer edge 41-3 can be located at adistance, a third distance, from end edge 17-3 that is slightly lessthan the length l₄ of overlay 31 as measured from outer edge 31-3 toinner edge 31-4, and inner edge 41-4 can be located at a distance, afourth distance, from end edge 17-3 that slightly exceeds the length l₄of overlay 31 as measured from outer edge 31-3 to inner edge 31-4. Thelocations of first side edge 41-1, second side edge 41-2, outer edge41-3, and inner edge 41-4 define a first low adhesion area.

In this manner, as will be seen below, in a “Z-stack” of two or moremedia 11, adjacent media 11 will be arranged so that the inner edge 31-4of overlay 31 of the lower medium 11 is aligned between outer edge 41-3and inner edge 41-4 of the upper medium 11. Where medium 11 has thedimensions discussed above, outer edge 41-3 and inner edge 41-4 can bespaced apart from one another by a distance of, for example,approximately 3.0 mm. In other embodiments, outer edge 41-3 and inneredge 41-4 can be spaced apart from one another by a distance rangingfrom approximately 2.0 mm to approximately 5.0 mm.

Adhesive patch 43, which can include a coating of a relatively high-tackrepositionable or ultraremovable adhesive, can have boundaries includinga first side edge 43-1, a second side edge 43-2, an outer edge 43-3, andan inner edge 43-4. First side edge 43-1 can lie substantially flushwith a portion of first side edge 17-1 of base 13, second side edge 43-2can lie substantially flush with a portion of second side edge 17-2 ofbase 13, outer edge 43-3 can lie substantially flush with end edge 17-3of base, and inner edge 43-4 can lie substantially flush with outer edge41-3 of patch 41. The first side edge 43-1, second side edge 43-2, outeredge 43-3, and inner edge 43-4 also define a first high adhesion area.

Adhesive patch 45, which can be identical in composition to adhesivepatch 43 and which can include a coating of a relatively high-tackrepositionable or ultraremovable adhesive, can cover a second highadhesion area on the bottom surface of base 13 extending laterallysubstantially the full width of base 13 and extending longitudinallyfrom inner edge 41-4 to a boundary 45-1 substantially aligned with inneredge 31-4 of overlay 31. Boundary 45-1 is located a distance, a fifthdistance, from the first end edge 15-3, and the distance is greater thanlength l₄.

As discussed above, adhesive patch 43 and adhesive patch 45 can includerelatively high-tack repositionable or ultraremovable adhesives, andadhesive patch 41 can include a relatively low-tack repositionable orultraremovable adhesive. It should be understood that adhesive patches41, 43, and 45 can include the same repositionable or ultraremovableadhesive that is detackified or pattern-coated to provide the necessaryrelative tack required for each patch. Alternatively, adhesive patch 41can be a lower coat weight of the same adhesive used for adhesive patch43 or adhesive patch 45. In one embodiment, the coat weight of adhesivepatches 43 and 45 can range between approximately 5.5 grams/square meter(gsm) to approximately 6.5 gsm, and the coat weight of adhesive patch 41can range between approximately 5.5 gsm to approximately 6.5 gsm. Inother embodiments, the coat weight of adhesive patches 43 and 45 canrange between approximately 3 gsm to approximately 12 gsm, and the coatweight of adhesive patch 41 can range between approximately 3 gsm toapproximately 12 gsm.

Ultraremovable adhesives are discussed in the following patents andpatent publications, all of which are incorporated herein by referenceherein in their entireties: U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,518 to Wong, issued Dec.11, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,851 to Mazurek et al., issued Nov. 13,2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,705 to Mallya et al., issued Aug. 12, 1997;and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0047263 A1 toMcCarthy et al., published Apr. 25, 2002. Additionally, a primer can beused with removable or ultraremovable adhesives to increase theanchorage of the adhesive to the base.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a simplified side elevationalview of three identical media 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 arranged in a“Z-stack,” the “Z-stack” being represented generally by referencenumeral 51. (For ease of illustration and understanding, certainfeatures of “Z-stack” are not shown.) As can be appreciated, although“Z-stack” 51 is shown including three stacked media, “Z-stack” 51 is notlimited to a stack of three stacked media and could include, forexample, a greater or lesser number of media. In FIG. 4, the uppermostmedium 11-1 is shown being dispensed from a slotted dispenser 61, shownpartly in section. Dispenser 61 can be similar to conventionaldispensers but dimensioned appropriately for “Z-stack” 51.

As can be seen, to dispense the uppermost medium 11-1 from dispenser 61,a user can pull the exposed end of medium 11-1 away from the remainderof “Z-stack” 51, for example, by pulling the combination of end portion15 of base 13 and overlay 31 of medium 11-1 through slot 61-1 in thedirection indicated by arrow A. Although overlay 31 of middle medium11-2 is in contact with adhesive on the bottom of uppermost medium 11-1,the separation of uppermost medium 11-1 from the remainder of “Z-stack”51 is less likely to result in the delamination of overlay 31 frommiddle medium 11-2 than would otherwise be the case. This is becauseinner edge 31-4 of overlay 31 of middle medium 11-2 is in contact withadhesive patch 41 of uppermost medium 11, adhesive patch 41 isrelatively low-tack, as compared to adhesive patches 43 or 45. Since theinitiation of delamination is most likely to occur along inner edge 31-4of overlay 31 when pulling medium 11-1 in the direction indicated byarrow A, the reduction in adhesion between 31 and medium 11-1 due to theuse of adhesive patch 41, instead of the use of an adhesive similar tothat of patches 43 and 45, is likely to result in a reduction in theoccurrence of delamination.

Medium 11 can be marked and/or applied to objects in the conventionalfashion. Referring now to FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b), there are shown bottomplan and side elevational views, respectively, of a second embodiment ofa repositionable medium, the repositionable medium being representedgenerally by reference numeral 111.

Medium 111 can be similar in most respects to medium 11, the principaldifference between the two media being that, in medium 111, the areaoccupied by patch 43 of medium 11 can be occupied with the combinationof an adhesive patch 112, occupying the first high adhesion area, and anadhesive patch 113, adhesive patch 113 extending along edge 17-3 of base13 and occupying a second low adhesion area. Adhesive patch 112 can beidentical in composition to adhesive patch 43 and can include arelatively high-tack repositionable or ultraremovable adhesive. Adhesivepatch 113 can be identical in composition to adhesive patch 41 and caninclude a relatively low-tack repositionable or ultraremovable adhesive.Patch 113 can serve to inhibit the initiation of delamination alongouter edge 31-3 of overlay 31.

Medium 111 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b), there are shown bottom plan andside elevational views, respectively, of a third embodiment of arepositionable medium, the repositionable medium being representedgenerally by reference numeral 211.

Medium 211 can be similar in most respects to medium 111, the principaldifference between the two media being that, in medium 211, no adhesiveis positioned in the corresponding areas occupied by patches 41 and 113of medium 111. Instead, medium 211 can include a first non-adhesive area213 provided in the area corresponding to patch 41 of medium 11, and asecond non-adhesive area 215 can be provided in the area correspondingto patch 113 of medium 11. In another embodiment (not shown), secondnon-adhesive area 215 can be occupied with an adhesive similar to thatof patch 41 or similar to that of patches 43 and 45, with firstnon-adhesive area 213 remaining unoccupied by adhesive.

Medium 211 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 7( a) and 7(b), there are shown bottom plan andside elevational views, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of arepositionable medium, the repositionable medium being representedgenerally by reference numeral 311.

Medium 311 can be similar in most respects to medium 11, the principaldifference between the two media being that adhesive patches 41 and 43of medium 11 can be replaced in medium 311 with an adhesive patch 313.Adhesive patch 313 can be identical in composition to adhesive patch 41and can include a relatively low-tack repositionable or ultraremovableadhesive.

Medium 311 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 8( a) and 8(b), there are shown bottom plan andside elevational views, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of arepositionable medium, the repositionable medium being representedgenerally by reference numeral 411.

Medium 411 can be similar in most respects to medium 211, the principaldifference between the two media being that patches 45, 213 and 112 ofmedium 211 can be replaced in medium 411 with an adhesive patch 413.Patch 413 can include an adhesive similar to that of patch 45 of medium211.

Medium 411 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b), there are shown top and bottomplan views, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of a repositionablemedium, the repositionable medium being represented generally referencenumeral 511.

Medium 511 can be similar in many respects to medium 11. One differencebetween the two media can be that medium 511 can include a singleadhesive patch 513 covering the areas corresponding to the areas coveredby patches 41, 43 and 45 of medium 11. Patch 513 can include arepositionable or ultraremovable adhesive similar to that of patches 43and 45 of medium 11. Another difference between medium 511 and medium 11can be that medium 511 can further include a strip of non-adhesivecoating 517, for example, a lacquer coating, positioned over inner edge31-4 (shown in phantom) of overlay 31, with a first edge 517-1 ofnon-adhesive coating 517 adhered to overlay 31 and with a second edge517-2 of non-adhesive coating 517 adhered to base 13. Non-adhesivecoating 517 can serve to inhibit the initiation of delamination ofoverlay 31 along inner edge 517-1. As can be appreciated, non-adhesivecoating 517 could be replaced with other non-adhesive means, such as,for example, a single-sided adhesive tape.

Medium 511 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b), there are shown top and bottomplan views, respectively, of a seventh embodiment of a repositionablemedium, the repositionable medium being represented generally referencenumeral 611.

Medium 611 can be similar in many respects to medium 11. One differencebetween the two media can be that medium 611 can include a singleadhesive patch 613 covering the areas corresponding to the areas coveredby patches 41, 43 and 45 of medium 11. Patch 613 can include arepositionable or ultraremovable adhesive similar to that of patches 43and 45 of medium 11. Another difference between medium 611 and medium 11can be that medium 611 can include an overlay 615, instead of overlay 31of medium 11. Overlay 615 can differ from overlay 31 in that, whereasoverlay 31 can include a writable release coating 37 applied over theentire top surface of paper sheet 35, overlay 615 does not include awritable release coating applied over the entire top surface of itspaper sheet 617, but rather, can include a first band 619-1 of awritable release coating applied to the top surface of paper sheet 617along an inner edge 617-1 of sheet 617 and a second band 619-2 of awritable release coating applied to the top surface of paper sheet 617along an outer edge 617-2 of sheet 617. Bands 619-1 and 619-2 of therelease coating can reduce adhesion between the overlay 615 of a firstmedium 611 and adhesive patch 613 on the bottom of a second medium 611positioned directly thereover and, in so doing, can serve to inhibit theinitiation of delamination of overlay 615 along inner edge 617-1 and/oralong outer edge 617-2.

As can be appreciated, additional bands of the release coating can alsobe applied to the top surface of paper sheet 617 along each of its twoside edges, thereby forming a frame around the perimeter of sheet 617,to inhibit the initiation of delamination of overlay 615 along either ofits side edges.

Medium 611 can be stacked, dispensed, marked, and/or adhered to anobject analogously to medium 11.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a flowchart for a method of manufacturing arepositionable medium in a “Z-stack” is shown generally at 700. At step702, a base and an overlay are provided. A first adhesive is coated ontothe base at step 704. In step 706, the overlay is laminated to the base.After steps 702-706, the material is sheeted into sheets at step 708. Atstep 710, the sheets are stacked in a “Z-stack” manner. The number ofsheets in the stack is dependent on the number of tabs in the finalstack of repositionable media. After stacking, the tabs are die cut atstep 712. After being die cut, the “Z-stack” is placed into a dispenserat step 714.

In other embodiments of the method of manufacturing, a step of coatingthe base with a primer before the step of coating the first adhesive canbe included. In yet another embodiment, a further step of coating asecond adhesive can be included. Additionally, in yet anotherembodiment, the step of applying a topcoat can be included. In otherembodiments, the step of applying a release coating or writable releasecoating to the overlay, the top surface of the base, or both the overlayand the top surface of the base can be included. In yet anotherembodiment, before the sheeting step, the unsheeted material can berolled into roll form. The steps of sheeting, stacking, die cutting, andplacing the “Z-stacks” into dispensers can be performed at differentlocation than the coating steps.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a flowchart for a method of using arepositionable medium is shown generally at 750. In step 752, a firstmedium is removed from the dispenser, whereupon the second mediumbecomes accessible. In another step 754, the first medium is adhered toa substrate, and in another step 756, the first medium is written upon.

In any event, it is to be appreciated that in connection with theparticular exemplary embodiment(s) presented herein certain structuraland/or functional features are described as being incorporated indefined elements and/or components. However, it is contemplated thatthese features can, to the same or similar benefit, also likewise beincorporated in other elements and/or components where appropriate. Itis also to be appreciated that different aspects of the exemplaryembodiments can be selectively employed as appropriate to achieve otheralternative embodiments suited for desired applications, the otheralternative embodiments thereby realizing the respective advantages ofthe aspects incorporated therein.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain elements describedherein as incorporated together can under suitable circumstances bestand-alone elements or otherwise divided. Similarly, a plurality ofparticular functions described as being carried out by one particularelement can be carried out by a plurality of distinct elements actingindependently to carry out individual functions, or certain individualfunctions can be split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinctelements acting in concert. Alternatively, some elements or componentsotherwise described and/or shown herein as distinct from one another canbe physically or functionally combined where appropriate.

In short, the present specification has been set forth with reference topreferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the presentspecification. It is intended that the invention be construed asincluding all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stack of repositionable media comprising: aplurality of repositionable media, each of the plurality ofrepositionable media including: (a) a base, the base having a topsurface, a bottom surface, a first end edge and a second end edge, (b) apaper fixedly coupled to the top surface of the base proximate to thefirst end edge, the paper having an inner edge and an outer edge, theouter edge is closer to the first end edge than the inner edge is to thefirst end edge, the inner edge is spaced from the first end edge of thebase by a first distance, and (c) a first repositionable adhesive fixedto the bottom surface of the base, the first repositionable adhesive notbeing present in a first low adhesion area at a line across a width ofthe base and spaced from the second end edge of the base by a seconddistance, the second distance is equal in length to the first distance;wherein the plurality of repositionable media is arranged in a Z-stack,with the inner edge of the paper of a first repositionable mediumaligned with the first low adhesion area on a second repositionablemedium positioned directly thereover.
 2. A repositionable mediumcomprising: (a) a base, the base having a top surface and a bottomsurface; (b) a paper fixed to the top surface of the base; (c) a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base in afirst high adhesion area; and (d) a second repositionable adhesive fixedto the bottom surface of the base in a first low adhesion area, thefirst low adhesion area is different than the first high adhesion area,the second repositionable adhesive having less adhesive strength thanthe first repositionable adhesive.
 3. The repositionable medium asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the base includes a polymeric film.
 4. Therepositionable medium as claimed in claim 3, wherein the polymeric filmis translucent.
 5. The repositionable medium as claimed in claim 4,wherein at least a portion of the polymeric film is coated with amarking-receptive coating.
 6. The repositionable medium as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the paper covers a portion of the top surface of thebase.
 7. A stack of repositionable media comprising: a plurality ofrepositionable media, each of the plurality of repositionable mediaincluding: (a) a base, the base having a top surface and a bottomsurface, (b) a paper fixed to the top surface of the base, (c) a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base in afirst high adhesion area, and (d) a second repositionable adhesive fixedto the bottom surface of the base in a first low adhesion area, thefirst low adhesion area is different than the first high adhesion area,the second repositionable adhesive having less adhesive strength thanthe first repositionable adhesive; wherein: (a) the base has a first endedge and a second end edge, wherein the paper has a first edge proximateto the first end edge of the base and a second edge distal to the firstend edge of the base, the second edge of the paper is spaced from thefirst end edge of the base by a first distance, and (b) the plurality ofrepositionable media is arranged in a Z-stack, with the second edge ofthe paper of a first repositionable medium aligned with the first lowadhesion area of the second repositionable adhesive of a secondrepositionable medium positioned directly thereover.
 8. A repositionablemedium comprising: (a) a base, the base having a top surface and abottom surface; (b) a paper fixed to the top surface of the base; and(c) a first repositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of thebase in a first high adhesion area and in a second high adhesion area,at least a portion of the first and second high adhesion areas arespaced apart from one another.
 9. The repositionable medium as claimedin claim 8, wherein the base includes a polymeric film.
 10. Therepositionable medium as claimed in claim 9, wherein the polymeric filmis translucent.
 11. The repositionable medium as claimed in claim 10,wherein at least a portion of the polymeric film is coated with amarking-receptive coating.
 12. The repositionable medium as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the paper covers a portion of the top surface of thebase.
 13. The repositionable medium as claimed in claim 12, wherein thebase has a first end edge and a second end edge, wherein the paper has afirst edge proximate to the first end edge of the base and a second edgedistal to the first end edge of the base, the second edge of the paperis spaced from the first end edge of the base by a first distance,wherein the first high adhesion area of the first repositionableadhesive is spaced from the second end edge of the base by a seconddistance slightly greater in length than the first distance, and whereinthe second high adhesion area of the first repositionable adhesive ispositioned over at least a portion of the bottom surface extending fromthe second end edge of the base to a third distance from the second endedge of the base, the third distance is slightly less in length than thefirst distance.
 14. A stack of repositionable media comprising: aplurality of repositionable media, each of the plurality ofrepositionable media including: (a) a base, the base having a topsurface and a bottom surface, (b) a paper fixed to the top surface ofthe base, and (c) a first repositionable adhesive fixed to the bottomsurface of the base in a first high adhesion area and in a second highadhesion area, at least a portion of the first and second high adhesionareas are spaced apart from one another.
 15. A repositionable mediumcomprising: (a) a base, the base having a top surface and a bottomsurface; (b) a paper fixed to the top surface of the base; (c) a firstrepositionable adhesive fixed to the bottom surface of the base; and (d)a non-adhesive layer applied to the top of the paper along at least oneedge of the paper for adhering the paper to the base.
 16. Therepositionable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the base includesa polymeric film.
 17. The repositionable medium as claimed in claim 16,wherein the polymeric film is translucent.
 18. The repositionable mediumas claimed in claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric filmis coated with a marking-receptive coating.
 19. The repositionablemedium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the paper has an outer edgeproximate to a first end edge of the base and an inner edge distal tothe first end edge of the base and wherein the non-adhesive layer isapplied over the inner edge of the paper.
 20. The repositionable mediumas claimed in claim 15, wherein the base has a first end edge and asecond end edge and wherein the paper is located closer to the first endedge of the base than to the second end edge of the base.
 21. A stack ofrepositionable media comprising: a plurality of repositionable media,each of the plurality of repositionable media including: (a) a base, thebase having a top surface and a bottom surface, (b) a paper fixed to thetop surface of the base, (c) a first repositionable adhesive fixed tothe bottom surface of the base, and (d) a non-adhesive layer applied tothe top of the paper along at least one edge of the paper for adheringthe paper to the base; wherein the plurality of repositionable media isarranged in a Z-stack.